This is a sweet family/small town mystery. Ms Frederick has smoothly addressed a slew of issues in the book; bullying, military life, aftermath of life changing injury, survivor guilt, grief, moving, running small businesses, being new in town, the joys of birding, being different, and a fun mystery...In the voice of 12 year old Truly (family name, don't ask) we get a window on unexpectedly moving into Dad's tiny hometown of Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire. Originally the plan was for Dad to retire from the military and coach wresting in Mom's native Texas. Just before his release there was an explosion killing Dad's lifelong friend and taking Dad's arm. Now Dad has pridefully rejected the wresting job and reluctantly taken over his parent's family book store. A mystery that emerges from the pages of a first edition, signed copy of Charlotte's Web leads Truly to find friends and a place in her new town. Grades 4 and up. Touted as a mystery, this realistic fiction is so much more. Truly's father was recently wounded in Afghanistan, and is now struggling to readjust to life as a wounded warrior. The family relocates to a small New Hampshire town, where Truly makes new friends, deals with a growth spurt, learns how small town communities draw together to support one another, and yes - solves a small mystery along the way. Truly a joy to read - pun intended.
What do You think about Absolutely Truly: A Pumpkin Falls Mystery (2014)?
